DOTr chief addresses criticism over TriNoma-SM North walkway upgrade

MANILA — Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Monday acknowledged public criticism over the recently completed walkway connecting TriNoma and SM City North EDSA, explaining that the agency’s lack of funding for public transportation facilities forced it to seek help from a private firm.

Speaking at the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines infrastructure forum, Lopez said he had to appeal to San Miguel Corp. (SMC), which is behind the MRT-7 project, to improve the walkway as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts.

“If you remember this issue, nung malakas po yung ulan, yung mga commuters natin, yung nilalakaran nila basang-basa sila. Baha, mabaho,” he said.

“You know what I did? I have to admit. Nakiusap ako sa MRT-7, sa SMC. Wala akong pondo dito, baka pwede natin ayusin ‘to as part of your Corporate Social Responsibility. Gawin nating sementado, lagyan natin ng bubong para hindi mahirapan ang ating mga commuters,” Lopez added.

Lopez said the situation underscores why he is pushing for a higher DOTr budget for 2027, arguing that the agency needs sufficient funding to implement infrastructure projects and improve facilities for commuters.

“If we have to be commuter-centric, dapat ito ang bigyan natin ng pansin,” he said.

Earlier, the EDSA Busway received no funding under the Department of Budget and Management’s proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program, despite the DOTr’s P1.7-billion request.

Several budget watchdogs and economists have also raised concerns over substantial cuts to foreign-assisted big-ticket infrastructure projects, including the Metro Manila Subway Project and the North-South Commuter Railway, in the version of the national budget passed by the House of Representatives.

Lopez, however, said the DOTr would continue fighting for a bigger budget, noting that the spending plan has yet to be finalized.

“Meron pa kaming plenary sa senado at yun naman ay pag-uusapan pa rin po natin para kahit papano, kung may natanggal man sa ating foreign-assisted projects, baka pwede nating ibalik. Hindi pa yan batas,” he said.

Lopez warned that insufficient funding for foreign-assisted projects could lead to further construction delays and higher costs.

He said the agency needs enough funding to pay contractors and cover its obligations for at least the first three quarters of 2027, adding that it could not simply rely on unprogrammed appropriations.

“Dapat naka-program appropriation yung kailangan naming pondo para mabayaran yung mga contractors namin, para hindi na po maulit yung pagsu-suspend ng mga works at para po tuloy-tuloy na matapos sa lalong mas mabilis na panahon yung ating big-ticket projects,” he said.

“Hindi na ho pwedeng mag-aantay na lang kami sa unprogrammed appropriations. That’s just a contingent fund, so to speak. Kung may kita ang gobyerno, may proseso pa yan,” Lopez added.

Lopez said the DOTr wants to remind lawmakers that several projects had already been delayed for years, citing budget cuts in 2023, 2024, and 2025, when the flood control scandal erupted.

“(Pag) tinanggalan mo ng 2 years na budget, hindi lang po 2 years ang hahabulin niyo doon. It’s more than that. Not only the interest, may prolongation cost and everything,” he said, referring to the additional expenses that can arise when project timelines are extended.

Meanwhile, Lopez said he would defer to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on any decision regarding his position as transportation chief.

This comes amid speculation that Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon could return to the DOTr, a possibility Dizon himself has dismissed.

Marcos has also denied reports of an imminent reassignment, saying Dizon would remain at the DPWH “for now.”

“According to Sec. Dizon, mukhang hindi ata. I just second the motion yung sinabi niya. On my part, we cannot question the wisdom of the President. At least for the cabinet secretaries and all appointed officials, we work for the pleasure of the President. If we still enjoy the trust and confidence of the President, then salamat po,” Lopez said.

He added that he would accept the President’s decision if Marcos believed he was no longer performing his duties adequately.

“If the President thinks that we no longer perform as we should, we don’t question that. As simple as that. At the end of the day, we are just the alter ego of the President. Kung ano ang gusto ng Pangulo, tayo ay susunod,” Lopez said.